On The Radar

CNC Saw and Drill Press Center
The BeamCenter CNC 1200 offers highly productive beam production that is centrally controlled and easily customizable. Users can perform simultaneous 3-axis drilling, marking, and sawing.

Features Include:

• Fast and efficient drilling with 3-axis machining and four station tool changers per spindle
• Maximum 47" x 31" sawing capacity with a wide swivel range of +60°/-45°
• Feed and discharge unit with material positioning up to 66ft
• Reliable and accurate marking of static materials with a movable embossing head

The BeamCenter CNC 1200 is equipped with the user-friendly Siemens SIMATIC PC control. Programs for automatic operation of the BeamCenter can be captured, edited, and managed directly at the machine. It is easy to use input templates (masks) provide direct access to all machine and machining data.

Knuth Machine Tools U.S.A. Inc.
Lincolnshire, IL
knuth-usa.com

Precision Toolholding
The TENDO E will no longer require the use of different holder technologies for milling, drilling, and reaming. The TENDO E can safely transfer torques of up to 520Nm (384ft/lb) at a 20mm clamping diameter and are perfectly suited for high volume cutting. With excellent vibration damping and precise run out accuracy of less than 0.003mm (0.0001") at 2.5 x D, this innovative holder protects the machine spindle and the cutting tool from damage. The attractively-priced hydraulic expansion toolholder works well across the application range from rough milling to finish operations such as reaming and fine milling.

In roughing operations, tool cost reductions of up to 40% have been achieved with TENDO E compact. Tools can be quickly changed with an allen key, making this powerful hydraulic expansion toolholder an excellent alternative for operations where the toolholder quantities do not justify peripheral equipment purchases.

Common spindle connections are available, including interfaces HSK-A63, SK40, BT40, CAT40, and CAT50.

Schunk
Morrisville, NC
schunk.com

Reducing Operating Cost With Laser Tube Cutting
LT Fiber is the first automated laser tube cutting machine to utilize a fiber laser resonator. Due to the versatility of its advanced 2kW IPG fiber laser source, the system can now efficiently process highly reflective materials such as brass, copper, and aluminum. It also exhibits excellent cutting characteristics with galvanized steel and has registered considerable productivity increases in the cutting of thin-walled tubes.

The fiber laser provides a dramatic improvement in energy efficiency when compared to the more traditional CO2 resonator, leading to as much as a 50% reduction in the hourly operating cost. Coupled with this savings is the elimination of routine resonator maintenance and optical beam alignments.

The LT Fiber laser cutting system accommodates tube up to 6" (152mm) diameter with maximum raw tube lengths of 256" to 335" (6,500mm to 8,500mm), depending on the configuration chosen. The machine's bundle loader and automatic unloader enhance speed and improve productivity. Automated changeover to different size tubes occurs in as little as three minutes.

The entire process is driven by the user-friendly Artube programming software package that includes direct import of 3D CAD data, part simulation, cycle time generation, and advanced off-line nesting software, helping to reduce setup time and while eliminating scrap.

BLM Group U.S.A.
Wixom, MI
blmgroup.com

Meeting Demanding Performance Requirements
Intelligent control applications often call for multi-axis solutions to meet demanding performance requirements. Configuring a control solution in a mother board/daughter board array is a convenient and proven method of addressing these types of applications. OEM-style daughter boards, like the EPOS2 36/2 drive/controller, offer excellent flexibility in design but require custom wiring solutions. This process is often too expensive and time consuming for designers who may not have the resources to undertake a complete development, especially with increasingly short proof-of-concept times. The EPOS2 36/2 motherboards make product development faster and easier, giving the designer either a standalone multi-axis motor controller or one that can be integrated into the final product as a sub-board.

Starting with 11 nodes connected together via CAN-Open, the unique snap apart construction allows for quick multi-axis customization on a single board. Each node mates with an individual EPOS2 36/2 drive/controller and provides connection points. Standard cables are available in stock. Two digital inputs and one digital output are mapped on the board with an additional I/O expansion module as an option. USB and RS232 communication modules are available for users that do not want to use CAN.

Functionalities Include:

• Speed and position feed forward control
• PVT - interpolated position mode
• Step and direction
• Point to point motor position control
• Torque control
• Electronic gearing
• Motor holding brake control
• Position compare and position mark
• Dual loop speed and position control

Maxon Motor U.S.A.
Fall River, MA
maxonmotorusa.com

CMM Combines Speed, Accuracy
The extremely rigid STRATO-Apex CMM structure incorporates vibration-dampening, auto-leveling air springs, and the newest compensation technology to support acceleration of 2,598mm/s2 (3D), 0.23g (3D), and measuring scan speeds up to 3mm/s.

The ultra-high accuracy measurement units installed on each axis of the STRATO-Apex consist of high-performance reflective linear encoders that utilize ultra-high precision crystallized glass scales which exhibit virtually no thermal expansion (co-efficient of linear expansion of 0.01 x 10-5/°C).

Mitutoyo America Corp.
Aurora, IL
mitutoyo.com

Human Machine Interface
Walker Magnetics' HMI brings unusual capacity and flexibility to burning table applications while offering an operator interface – a touch screen panel. Walker Magnetics' system with HMI mimics the most modern CNC control panels. Its multiple screens give the operator a clear visual of all system functions, providing instant access to information, feedback, and options.

Using the screen, the operator can easily choose which individual or group of lifting devices to use – magnets or vacuum pads. The operator selects the object to be lifted; brings it to the burning table; selects, cuts, loads, and unloads, all at a touch of the screen. One Walker Magnetics' HMI screen can replace hundreds of wires needed for a conventional system.

The new system has the ability to handle plates as large as 10ft x 50ft, and as small as 2ft x 3ft, while offering greater flexibility. In addition to magnets, it is a vacuum system. If you want to handle very thin steel plate, aluminum plate, brass plate, or composite plate, with Walker Magnetics' system, you can just activate the vacuum cups that are right next to the magnets.

Walker Magnetics
Worcester, MA
walkermagnet.com

Expanded Line of Deburring Tools
With the addition of power tube brushes, small-diameter wheels, and Bore-Rx internal deburring tools, Weiler offers a comprehensive line of high aggression, compliant brushing tools that address practically any automated deburring need.

The black nylon filaments of Weiler's Burr-Rx brushes are co-extruded with an engineered ceramic abrasive grain, providing cut rates up to 400% faster than standard silicon carbide or aluminum oxide filaments. The extreme aggression of Burr-Rx brushes reduces cycle times by allowing the use of high feed rates and short dwell times, resulting in increased throughput and lower deburring costs.

Weiler Corp.
Cresco, PA
weilercorp.com

6,000 Watt Laser-Cutting System
The SuperTurbo-X Mark III 2D laser cutting system has become even more advanced by increasing its power output to 6,000W. This boost allows the system to meet the unique demands of processing thicker mild steel and stainless materials.

The STX Mark III system is a flexible, rugged system that offers significant technical advantages and standard features for a variety of material types and thicknesses. Built utilizing Mazak's hybrid platform, the new system's constant-beam length construction provides uniform cutting across the machine table.

Additionally, the STX Mark III utilizes several advanced features found in Mazak's high-end Hyper Series machines, including intelligent setup functions for automated nozzle spatter removal, a three-station nozzle changer, as well as focal point measurement and adjustment capability. These functions are part of the Mazak Opti-Pod, which helps minimize system setup time and extends unattended operation for longer periods of time while still maintaining optimized machining conditions.

The STX Mark III also incorporates a servo focus torch and high accuracy auto centering lens and nozzle. The servo driven system significantly reduces piercing time while the lens and nozzle design further reduces setup time and increases pierce, plasma, and poor cut sensing to ensure consistent performance over a wide range of materials. Together, these technologies yield a considerable increase in productivity.

Mazak Optonics paid special attention to flexibility throughout the design of the STX Mark III, evident in the fact it is available in 4ft x 8ft, 5ft x 10ft, and 6ft x 12ft table configurations, and offers three power output levels: 2.5kW, 4.0kW, and 6.0kW. It is also available with a large range of automated material handling systems, including load/unload cells and flexible manufacturing systems.

Mazak Optonics Corp.
Elgin, IL

Higher Torque Spindles
The 10,000rpm higher torque spindles will boost metal removal and productivity without sacrificing the precision of Tsugami's models, which include the B0203/204/205, S205/S206, BH20, BE20-V, SS20, and the S207. Those models were previously equipped with a 12,000rpm main spindle.

Tests have shown the higher torque spindles provide three times the metal removal capability of previous models in certain applications. Turning cutting area has been increased from 0.15mm2 to 0.50mm2. Drilling and tapping power has also been boosted. Tapping capability has been increased from M8 in Swiss configurations and M6 in chucker configurations to M10 in both.

REM Sales LLC
Windsor, CT
remsales.com

Five-axis Cryogenic Machining
The HMC1250/1600 series is engineered for high-precision, high-productivity machining of large aerospace, power generation, pump, valve, and off-road equipment parts. It includes six spindle options to suit special-purpose or general machining requirements. The 6,000rpm and 8,000rpm/46kW (61.6hp) tilt-spindle – with +90°/-120° A-axis travel – joins an all-around 10,000rpm/56kW (75hp) spindle, high-speed 24,000rpm spindle, high-torque 2,600Nm/80kW (1,918ft/lb) spindle, and two live spindles (110mm or 130mm diameter). The high-torque spindle is especially suited for hard-metal cutting, while the live spindles extend W-axis reach by up to 800mm (31.5"), enabling deep cavity milling to high precision with shorter, more rigid tool lengths.

Designed for extreme application flexibility, the HMC 1250/1600 offers a maximum 3,000mm (118") work-zone swing, 2,500mm (98.4") work-height capacity, and 15,000kg (33,000 lb) pallet load capacity. Major machine components, including the X-bed, Z-bed, and column, are cast ductile iron, with pallets up to 1,600mm x 2,000mm, headstock and rotary table housings of gray cast iron. Modular design provides a range of machine travels, 60- to 300-tool magazines, and two control choices.

The HMC offers 56kW to 80kW (75hp to 107hp) spindle power, 35kN (7,870 lb) Z-axis thrust, and super-rigid, full-contouring hydrostatic rotary table. The 360,000-position contouring table provides a rigid work platform, while a rugged worm gear drive with clamp securely holds axis position. Rotary table positioning accuracy is 10 arc seconds, repeatable to 5 arc seconds, while positioning accuracy of the tilt-spindle is 4 arc seconds, repeatable to 2 arc seconds.

MAG IAS LLC
mag-ais.com
Erlanger, KY

Mobile Surface Measurement Sysytem
Light and compact in design, and easy to operate with long-lasting battery power, the Hommel-Etamic W5 surface roughness measuring system is ideally suited for measurements on the production line. Capable of a wide range of measuring tasks, using an extensive array of probes and accessories, the W5 can match the performance of more expensive stationary systems with its accuracy and precision.

The W5 is ergonomically designed, with the device easily fitting into the user's hand, making it simple to precisely position on the workpiece. The W5 is capable of tracking five separate measurement programs, up to 100 separate profiles, with a total storage capacity of up to 10,000 completed measurements.

The integrated click wheel allows the operator to intuitively select device functions. In conjunction with the large color display with graphic interface, this makes operation of the W5 simple and transparent; delivering easy to see results and tolerance evaluations.

More than 800 measurements with one battery charge guarantee a high level of reliability even during frequent use. Measuring results may be quickly printed out on the optional printer, wirelessly, via Bluetooth technology.

The roughness probes and measuring instrument electronics are calibrated independently from each other at the factory. This eliminates the need to make regular adjustments to the amplification or to recalibrate – a big advantage for everyday measuring.

Hommel-Etamic
Rochester Hills, MI
hommel-etamic.com

High Load Ratings, Advanced Sealing
Manufactured in the U.S.A., the high-capacity tapered roller bearing insert allows for a combination of radial and thrust loads, yielding the highest load ratings in the industry. Lab tests have proven that the new tapered insert has 13% to 14% ratings increase over the previously purchased insert.

The Type E-Xtra bearing features the exclusive XTS triple-lip seal, an advanced system that protects against contamination in dusty or wet environments. The oversized dual Springlok collars act as flingers for added seal protection. For extreme conditions, customers may also choose the XTS Plus sealing system, which incorporates an E-Tect seal kit for extra protection.

Bearings are preassembled, pre-lubricated, and are factory adjusted for easy installation. The Type E-Xtra is offered in a variety of configurations for maximum application flexibility. The offering includes: two- and four-bolt pillow blocks, flanges, piloted flanges, top angle take-ups, and wide-slot take-ups.

Baldor Electric Co.
Fort Smith, AR
baldor.com

Small Footprint High Speed EDM
The highly compact AD25L provides improved machining accuracy and speeds due to the incorporation of the Sodick High Speed Finish Circuit (SVC). SVC controls the discharge voltage of each pulse to ensure surface finish. Surface finish can be uniformly and efficiently controlled to provide a high-grade texture or mirror surface in a very short period of time. The AD25L also features Zero Electrode Wear Technology allowing EDMing of steel materials with virtually zero electrode wear when using graphite or copper electrodes. The AD25L has an X, Y, and Z travel of 11.81" x 7.87" (300mm x 200mm x 150mm) x 5.91" and can accommodate workpieces up to 220 lb (100kg). The AD25L is Sodick's cost-friendly Sinker EDM.

The AD25L can reduce EDMing time by up to 50% over conventional EDMs. Since the AD25L has a Z-zxis, which is linear motor driven, there are no ballscrews or couplings and backlash is completely eliminated.

Sodick Inc.
Schaumburg, IL
sodick.com